Tuesday, January 24, 2017

RICHMOND,
Va. Jan 24 2017— The GOP-controlled Virginia House of
Delegates has given preliminary approval to a bill that would allow retired
police officers to carry guns while working as school security guards.

The House voted Monday to advance the legislation.

Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a similar
bill last year, saying he had concerns about whether the armed guards would
have sufficient training.

Republican Del. Scott Lingamfelter said he added new
training provisions to this year’s bill in an attempt to allay the governor’s
concerns. He said the bill was needed because we live in “very dangerous times”
and schools need to be protected against “the unthinkable.”

House Democrats voted against the bill, saying it
would lead to more exceptions about who can carry guns on schools.